Starbreeze entering free-to-play market with 'Cold Mercury'

Starbreeze Studios has is known for putting out some pretty great games, but their most recent title with EA, Syndicate, didn't do so hot for several reasons.  Just before the sci-fi shooter was released in February, the studio laid off 25 employees -- a significant figure given their relatively small headcount.

Not that any of this is keeping Starbreeze down.  The studio is currently looking at two upcoming projects, including free-to-play title Cold Mercury.  Other than the F2P detail, we don't know much more about it. 

This first step into freemium doesn't knock the developer out of the AAA market, however, says CEO Mikael Nermark.  Rather, he sees the move as a way of broadening the studio's horizons.  Nermark is also hopeful that his company can continue developing quality titles despite the Syndicate hitch:

"Starbreeze will not leave the AAA segment.

"We are discussing with several leading game publisher on publisher financed games, but we will broaden our product portfolio of games in the new business models and segments that have arisen in the games industry. I am convinced that Starbreeze will be successful with the new games."

In addition to Cold Mercury, Starbreeze is also searching for a distributor for P13, their new game with Swedish movie director Josef Fares.